Future of Storytelling

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Beatnik Band in a Closet / Creative Activation

Step inside a word where beatnik greats Kerouac and Ginsberg are complemented with modern reflections on America from Solange and Ta-Nehisi Coates and underscored with improvisations from some of New York's greatest players. This hidden experience transported Future of Storytelling attendees into a new time and place.

The Big Picture

Future of Storytelling asked Man Made Music to create a transformational and immersive activation that would transport selected guests to another time and place through sound. This interactive sonic journey harkened back to the beatnik area of the 1960 with a few modern twists – designed to inspire participants through spoken word poetry and live improvised music.

The Challenge

Dive Deeper

The Future of StoryTelling (FoST) community is a passionate group of people from the worlds of media, technology, and communications who are exploring how storytelling is evolving in the digital age. Man Made Music developed a Secret Band in a Closet for FoST’s 500 invite only VIP attendees. Those lucky enough to stumble up on this alternate universe entered a curated storytelling journey, ferried into an underground counter-culture musical collective only available to a select few at the festival. Participants were immediately immersed in readings of beatnik era greats, Kerouac and Ginsberg, coupled with modern reflections on America from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Solange and Ta-Nehisi Coates.

The Approach

Our Vision

To pair with the powerful poetry, Man Made enlisted some of New York’s most distinguished and unique performers to bring the experience to life. Each day the musicians changed – ensuring that any repeat participants would be taken on a refreshing journey. Sunny Jain, referred to as the, “Hendrix of dhol” by Manchester Salon and who has previously performed at the White House, opened the first day in the secret closet with vibrant instrumentation. Matt Bauder, a celebrated experimental saxophonist joined forces with Noah Garabedian on the upright bass to create an all encompassing sound. Kamala Sankaram surprised audiences with her avant-garde opera accompanied by a warm accordion and Julie Easterlin of HITE, brought her haunting vocals – filling the hideaway with a sense of longing.

The Results

Impact and Value

“Man Made Music has created one of the most extraordinary surprise-and-delight experiences that FoST has had the opportunity to help produce. We are thrilled to premiere this secret performance at FoST Summit and Festival and are excited for those who are lucky enough to witness it.” – Charles Melcher, Founder and Director of Future of Storytelling